Father Rich Danyluk (top right), senior pastor of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in San Dimas, dedicates the new Sacred Hearts Hall during a special ceremony following Mass Sunday.

Parishioners at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in San Dimas look at and take pictures of dedication bricks outside the churches newly built Sacred Hearts Hall following a special dedication ceremony Sunday.

SAN DIMAS >> A man sighed as he stared in awe at the stained-glass window panel showing Mary, the mother of Jesus and the inspirational name for Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church.

Her arms were outstretched in welcome and a smile played on her lips. Sunlight reflected through the blue hues of the three faceted stained-glass windows created by Father Bill Moore, the Congregation of Sacred Hearts artist priest, for Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church’s new parish hall, formation center and Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s community outreach facility.

He then turned and his gaze fell on children, teens and adults crowded into the church hall. Some eyes were moist with tears, others bright with joy. Everyone smiled.

Then the gentleman said “We did great,” simply summarizing the effort of 5,400 families who raised $6 million to build the 18,472-square-foot facility.

Work continues on the final touches of the earth-toned stucco facility designed by architect Jim Van Compernolle and built by AMG and Associates. But on Sunday, Father Rich Danyluk and the pastoral staff blessed the building curious citizens and parishioners have watched going up for several months at the southwest corner of Bonita Avenue and San Dimas Canyon Road. Prayers and blessings followed four celebrations of Mass on Sunday.

Children’s coins and adult dollars contributed to the capital campaign. Danyluk praised parishioners’ kindness and generosity that built a facility enabling pastors and parishioners to expand their ability to “console one another in sorrow, teach our children to serve the poor and inspire us” to continue the charitable work and messages of hope initiated by Jesus Christ.

“We hope to grow in God’s grace,” the pastor predicted.

As he spoke, altar server Gilbert Valle III, 13, of Pomona, held the paschal candle with a cross while altar servers Owen Wilson, 11, of La Verne and William Hoynes, 11, of San Dimas held traditional candles and Ruben Villa, 14, of San Dimas, assisted Danyluk.

Elyse Villalobos, 2, of Montclair found it fascinating and funny to trace her father Juan’s eyes, nose and lips before turning her attention to the ceremony. Kiera Stephens, 8, of Glendora sought a personal blessing while Mary Hoynes, 7, of San Dimas and her little brother John, 5, respectively carried dolls and a stuffed toy tiger to be blessed.

Capital campaign volunteer Terry Monday of San Dimas enthusiastically took members and visitors on facility tours.

The huge multipurpose room featured a stage with state-of-art audiovisual systems, a 16-foot screen and theatrical-style lighting and accommodates large church and community banquets and gatherings. It can be divided for less-large groups.

Bricks in the prayer garden featured 450 of the 2,600 available already inscribed. There was a commemorative one for Father Thomas Lyons, the church’s founding pastor. The brick bought by the Moms ministry, started in 1999 by Sister Philomena of the Sisters of St. Louis nuns who served Holy Name of Mary School, asked God to bless the children. Member Mary Mageno inscribed hers in loving memory of her mother. The George Shaker family offered thanks for God and country.

The Damien Room – named for Father Damien who, like Holy Name of Mary’s priests, belonged to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts – is a small room with plush, comfortable chairs for small receptions, prayer gatherings and meetings. The kitchen is a chef’s dream of stainless steel refrigerators, lots of counter space, oversized regular sinks and one that begins at floor level so extra-large pots and pans can be immersed and washed.

“We’ve got ovens that can cook 40 turkeys at the same time,” Monday boasted.

A landscaped courtyard connects the sanctuary and hall. The faith formation center houses religious education classrooms, offices and meeting rooms and another courtyard. The St. Vincent de Paul area has large storage spaces for food, clothing and necessities to help the poor and needy. All courtyard planters are smoothly edged to become benches and will contain drought-resistant plants and flowers.

David Alvarado of La Verne, the Band of Brothers/VFW Post 12034 color guard captain, Eastvale author Janet Wright and retired Cal Poly Pomona administrator Will Wright have belonged to Holy Name of Mary for 30-plus years. They said they stay because the parishioners and pastor set examples for faith, charity and love and make the church feel like family and home.